Veteran shares POW stories
Frank Bates finally opened up when he volunteered to talk to his child's class.
By Amy Picard
Staff Writer
HAMILTON Ñ For the first 30 or 40 years after Frank Bates returned from World War II, he refused to talk about his experience as a prisoner of war.
"We just tried to get it out of our minds," Bates said. "We didn't want to think about it."
Bates said he went to reunions with members of his company and joined several veterans organizations. But he didn't talk about what he had seen.
It wasn't until Bates volunteered to talk to one of his child's classes at school that he finally broke his silence. Now Bates talks to classrooms three or four times a year.
"Their eyes get as big around as coconuts, and you can drop a penny on the floor it is so quiet," he said. "But the really nice part about talking to kids is it helps relieve some of it."
In April, Bates was selected as Butler County Veteran of the Year by the Butler County Veterans Service Commission not for his time served during WWII or even his POW experience, but for his service of the community since he has returned.
"The community needs to realize veterans continue to serve the country after they leave the military, either silently in the background or in the forefront," said Curtis McPherson, executive director of the Butler County Veterans Service Commission.
John Harrington, commander of the Disabled American Veterans auxiliary unit 15, said nominating Bates was an easy choice.
"Three different (veterans) organizations all unbeknownst to one another nominated him," Harrington said.
Bates not only volunteers to speak in schools, he works at the orthotics clinic at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center every Wednesday greeting veterans, scheduling appointments and visiting POWs.
Bates said he thinks his POW experience makes it easier for servicemen to relate to him.
Bates was captured at the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. After walking nearly 100 miles, the soldiers were loaded into overcrowded boxcars headed for Stalag 4B in Muehlberg, Germany.
Bates spent approximately nine months in captivity, working on a railroad Ñ which they walked to Ñ about six or seven miles away. During this time they were fed rye bread Ñ nicknamed sawdust Ñ or soup made entirely out of broth.
Bates said 100 servicemen were initially captured, but only 60 came out alive.
Despite his initial silence, Bates said he thinks it is important to share his experiences.
"I think that is one of the biggest problems. There are so many people forgetting these events," Bates said. "The more people know about the experience while we were over there, the better off we are."
Bates is the commander of the American Ex-Prisioners of War, OKI chapter; vice commander of the Loyal Order of the Purple Heart, Cheviot Chapter; lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans; lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and lifetime member of the American Legion.
"For a prisoner of war to ever be active like he is , that the greatest therapy he could have," said Martha Tepker, former commander of DAV chapter 15.
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